Perhaps we Australians should offer them the option of letting them set up a naval base at Darwin on our northern coast. As Britain is a kindred English-speaking country with which mine has very strong historical and cultural ties it is therefore a country that we can comfortably do business with.

The Royal Navy last had a presence in Australia during the first decade of the 20th century; when they subsequently withdrew their flotilla from its base in Sydney harbour to make way for the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. That's now over 100 years ago.

Another advantage to us of allowing the Brits to establish their chief Asia-Pacific naval base here is that it would allow us to monitor and exercise some control over their activities in this part of the world- lest they inadvertently screw up my country's burgeoning relations with our Asian neighbours.

Perhaps we Australians should offer them the option of letting them set up a naval base at Darwin on our northern coast. As Britain is a kindred English-speaking country with which mine has very strong historical and cultural ties it is therefore a country that we can comfortably do business with.

The Royal Navy last had a presence in Australia during the first decade of the 20th century; when they subsequently withdrew their flotilla from its base in Sydney harbour to make way for the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. That's now over 100 years ago.

Another advantage to us of allowing the Brits to establish their chief Asia-Pacific naval base here is that it would allow us to monitor and exercise some control over their activities in this part of the world- lest they inadvertently screw up my country's burgeoning relations with our Asian neighbours.

Perhaps we Australians should offer them the option of letting them set up a naval base at Darwin on our northern coast. As Britain is a kindred English-speaking country with which mine has very strong historical and cultural ties it is therefore a country that we can comfortably do business with.

The Royal Navy last had a presence in Australia during the first decade of the 20th century; when they subsequently withdrew their flotilla from its base in Sydney harbour to make way for the fledgling Royal Australian Navy. That's now over 100 years ago.

Another advantage to us of allowing the Brits to establish their chief Asia-Pacific naval base here is that it would allow us to monitor and exercise some control over their activities in this part of the world- lest they inadvertently screw up my country's burgeoning relations with our Asian neighbours.

According to the article, the British is considering either Singapore or Brunei. If it happens, it will screw up relations with China for us - the same for Australia if Darwin is chosen as a base. But on the other hand, welcoming outside powers will boost freedom of movement in S China Sea which is important to Singapore's survival as a port. As you know, China has claimed 90% of S China Sea.

What has Britain to gain? Favorable trade terms with SE Asia countries in the form of FTA's in exchange of implied British protection allied with the US of course against China.

According to the article, the British is considering either Singapore or Brunei. If it happens, it will screw up relations with China for us - the same for Australia if Darwin is chosen as a base. But on the other hand, welcoming outside powers will boost freedom of movement in S China Sea which is important to Singapore's survival as a port. As you know, China has claimed 90% of S China Sea.

What has Britain to gain? Favorable trade terms with SE Asia countries in the form of FTA's in exchange of implied British protection allied with the US of course against China.

Singapore, with its advanced facilities, would likely be their preferred base. But I suspect they are promoting Brunei as an alternative in order to get the best terms and conditions out of Singapore on the basis that if you don't play ball our way we can still take our business elsewhere.

Darwin would not be a great option; even though the Yanks are there already. During the Second World War Darwin was repeatedly bombed by the Japanese whilst our big metropolitan centres in the south were beyond the striking range of all aircraft of the day used by both sides. Whilst modern ICBM missiles have stripped away that buffer Australia still keeps its naval forces berthed in southern ports to keep those ships protected from surprise attack.

I suppose that as Britain is not under threat from anyone I suppose that it would pay them to dispatch elements of their fleet somewhere where they would be useful diplomatic tools Good luck to them if they can negotiate a clutch of profitable free trade treaties with the south-east Asian littoral states..
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China and its new assertiveness, especially re. the South China Sea, has created a real quandary for Australia. Of course we want to see it remain an international waterway. But against this we have to weigh up the indispensable value of our trade with this country - which is huge. We have not followed the US example of imposing sanctions on the PRC (nor will we) and our trade with the PRC is burgeoning. Each year, even each month, our 2 way trade seems to reach new highs. Not only in our mercantile trade in tangible goods but even in invisibles like tourism and education China has proven a rich source of wealth for this country (and unlike the US, the EU or canada our current account is one of Australian surpluses and PRC deficits). You might therefore understand why in this country we lack enthusiasm for Trump's "reade war' showdown for the PRC.